Stoke Move Ahead Of Magpies In Race For Chelsea Midfielder

Van Ginkel looks like heading to Stoke and not Newcastle this summer.

By Chris Waugh / July 10, 2015

Newcastle United target Marco van Ginkel is close to heading to Stoke City instead of Tyneside - with Chelsea offering the midfielder as a makeweight in the deal to take Asmir Begovic to west London. Sunderland have also been credited with an interest in Van Ginkel this summer, but The Mirror claim the Dutchman will instead move to the Britannia Stadium on a season-long loan so goalkeeper Begovic can join the Blues in an £8 million deal. However, last week the 22-year-old was coy when asked about where he would be playing his football come the start of the 2014-15 campaign. Speaking to the Daily Star, Van Ginkel said:

Of course its strange that I do not know where I will play (at the end of) next month). But thats part of football. Nothing is certain at this time.

The 22-year-old Dutch midfielder spent a frustrating 2014-15 campaign on loan at AC Milan but both the Magpies and the Black Cats believe they can get the best out of him. Van Ginkel, a two-cap Dutch international, arrived at Chelsea for £8 million from Vitesse Arnhem in 2013 once Jose Mourinho returned to the Blues for a second time. Although he has appeared just twice in the Premier League for Chelsea since as a result of an anterior cruciate knee-ligament injury he suffered back in September 2013, Van Ginkel moved to Milan on loan last summer. In 16 appearances, Van Ginkel scored once but showed a creativity and composure on the ball that was severely lacking on Tyneside last season. During his career to date, Van Ginkel has made a total of 131 appearances, scoring 24 times. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.